Canada working on massive development programme for Pakistan

KARACHI: Canada is planning to work on a massive development program for Pakistan, especially on the agriculture sector as there is a vast potential in this area.It was stated by Greg Giokas, High Commissioner of Canada, while speaking during his visit to Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) office on the other day. President KATI Syed Farukh Mazhar, Senior Vice President Hasham A. Razzak, Vice President Farazur Rehman, KATI Diplomatic Committee Chairman Masood Naqi, Zubair Chhaya and Athar Moeen Khan received him. Giokas further said that almost half of the population of Pakistan was not yet developed to its full potential. We should work together for developing the policies for the agriculture sector, specially dates which has large export market, he said and added that these policies should be developed with the input of all stakeholders, so that Pakistan could achieve maximum per acre yield. He said that to encourage Pakistani businessmen to visit Canada, conidian government had developed an online visa application processing facility. We also interested in development social sector in Pakistan and willing to offer our utmost co-operation, he said.Mazhar said that at present the balance of payment was in favour of Pakistan but there was still huge potential for exports to Canada from the Pakistan. It is heartening to learn that Canada is willing to cooperate in agriculture sector and we suggest that mining is also a potential area, which needs development as Pakistan is full of minerals.Naqi said that Pakistani businessmen were willing to increase business with Canadian counter parts but for that the procedure of obtaining visa was quite cumbersome and it takes around two month for the complete process.